Make a College Board Account to create your personalized College Planning Checklist here!
Start making the most out of high school by getting involved on campus.
Challenge yourself by taking different classes.
Start thinking about your end goal and what you want to do after graduation.
Become familiar with college entrance exams and class requirements.
Join extracurricular activities.
Research college costs and continue/start saving for college.
Meet with your school counselor at least twice this year
Explore careers on SchooLinks.
Take the PSAT, administered to students who sign up in the Fall. This will serve as a practice for next year’s paid Junior PSAT which may qualify you for National Merit recognition and possible scholarships.
Continue to challenge yourself academically
Continue to meet with your college/career counselor
Think about what kind of education/training different careers require
Start collecting college information
Visit colleges and talk with college students (many sites offer virtual tours too)
When visiting, be ready with a list of questions to ask on your campus visit
Start comparing and contrasting different colleges
Continue/start saving for college
Consider your reasons for going to college and how they relate to your career interests
Join/continue extracurricular activities like a club, sports team, musical cast, etc.
Sign up to take the paid PSAT/NMSQT. This test is given only once each year in October. This preliminary exam to the SAT also serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. National Merit Scholarship consideration is only given to juniors who take the PSAT.
Continue to meet with your college/career counselor
Continue to challenge yourselve academically
Keep your grades up- remember that your Junior Year is the last year that will be reflected on your transcript for college applications
Join an academic club, perhaps one of the Honor Societies
Prepare and register for the SAT or ACT (you will have the opportunity to take the ACT or SAT in the spring at school, for free)
Talk with your parents and high school counselor about colleges that interest you
Continue to visit colleges and talk with college students
Visit with admissions counselors who come to our campus
Attend a college fair
Start narrowing your list of colleges
Start or update an academic resume
Start thinking about essay or personal statement themes. Write a rough draft.
Consider putting together a portfolio that highlights your special skills and talents
Continue saving for college and thinking about financial information
Investigate scholarship opportunities
Volunteer for activities and clubs related to career interests
Participate in work-based learning, like a part-time job or internship in a profession that interests you
Senior year is finally here, and it's full of things to do to get ready for life after graduation. Every senior should complete at least one college application, even if not interested in attending college. It's always best to keep all options open.
Follow the below timeline to help you keep track of your progress and upcoming deadlines for applications, testing, admissions, and financial aid.
August
Sign up for the SAT or ACT (if you didn't take it as a junior, or if you aren't satisfied with your score, or if you've learned a lot since you first took it.) Make sure the test you sign up for allows you to get your scores before college application deadlines
Finalize your list of colleges and begin looking up their application requirements
Create a schedule of application due dates
September – December
Visit with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements- you will also discuss this in your IGP
Start strong and keep working hard all year as second-semester grades can affect scholarship eligibility
Start your college applications:
Ask for personal references from teachers, school counselors, or employers early in the year or at least two weeks before application deadlines
Begin your college essay(s) and have a teacher or other adult provide feedback
Submit admissions applications to the colleges of your choice. (On average, students apply to three different schools.) You may secure an application by visiting SchooLinks. Be sure to follow the procedures outlined by your counselor for submitting college applications.
Attend MHS College Application Day in the Media Center for help with completing applications from counselors, teachers, and admission counselors
Visit with admissions counselors who come to your high school
Attend the District's College Fair
If you need it, begin seeking help to complete the FAFSA
Be on the lookout for, and research, scholarship opportunities
Apply for available scholarships. Ask your counselor for scholarship information. Visit SchooLinks for direct links to scholarship search engines. Remember that the best source of financial aid and scholarships is the college you plan to attend. Do not hesitate to contact the scholarship and financial aid office at the college of your choice
Complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA forms may be completed online in the fall at fafsa.gov. Parents may use the prior year’s tax return to complete the form. By completing this one form, it will be determined if you qualify for any federal grant or loan program as well as the SC Tuition Grant for private schools or the SC Need Based Grant. Also complete any college financial aid form if required. Check all deadlines.
January – May
Log into SchooLinks to request mid-year transcripts (with first semester grades) be sent to schools where you applied. In May, they will need to log back in and request a final transcript be sent to the college you will attend
Visit colleges that have invited you to enroll
Decide which college to attend, and notify the school of your decision
Keep track of and observe deadlines for sending in all required fees and paperwork
Maintain a list of all financial aid and scholarship offers. This information is required for a School District of Greenville County scholarship report. Your counselor will request this information from you before you graduate
Notify schools you will not attend of your decision
Continue to look for scholarship opportunities
Keep track of important financial aid and scholarship deadlines
Compare financial aid packages from different schools
Upload award letters to SchooLinks
Sign and send in a promissory note if you are borrowing money
Notify your college about any outside scholarships you received